Background Knowledge of variation in diagnosis and surgery in high‐risk primary melanoma patients is limited. We assessed frequency and determinants of diagnostic procedures, wide local excision (WLE) and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Methods People in Queensland newly diagnosed with melanoma, clinical stage 1b or 2, were recruited prospectively. Patient information was collected from questionnaires and pathology records. Differences in surgical procedures in relation to host and tumor characteristics were assessed. Results In 787 participants, primary melanoma was diagnosed by surgical excision (74%), shave (14%), punch (12%) or incisional (1%) biopsy. General practitioners (GPs) diagnosed 80%. Diagnostic procedure differed by remoteness of residence, health sector, treating doctor's specialty and melanoma site and thickness. 766 patients had WLE, 86% by surgeons. Of 134 residual melanomas, 13 (10%) were ≤ 1 mm at diagnosis but > 1 mm at WLE, mostly after shave biopsy. SLNB was performed in 261 (33%) patients. SLNB was more common in those under 50, in remoter locations or treated by GP initially, and less common with head and neck melanoma. Conclusion Diagnostic and surgical procedures for primary melanoma vary substantially and partial biopsy can influence initial tumor microstaging. Patient, tumor and doctor characteristics influence SLNB practice. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015; 112:359–365. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A substantial proportion of newly diagnosed patients with localised invasive melanoma need further melanoma-specific information and support with psychological concerns. Patients who have a SLNB clear of disease may need help with symptoms after surgery.

Palpable metastatic melanoma in the groin is commonly associated with pelvic lymph node involvement, is not well predicted by CT scanning and is appropriately managed by ilioinguinal lymph node block dissection.

Please cite this article as: Pencavel T, Allan CP, Thomas M, Hayes A. Treatment for breast sarcoma: a large, single-centre series., European Journal of Surgical Oncology (2011Oncology ( ), doi: 10.1016Oncology ( / j.ejso.2011 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Breast sarcoma. Conflict of Interest:The authors are not aware of any competing or conflicting interest in the preparation of this manuscript. Synopsis:Breast sarcoma is a rare condition. This large series evaluates prognostic factors from the standpoint of a large tertiary referral centre. Previous breast irradiation emerges as the factor most strongly associated with poorer prognosis; other factors are also discussed. M A N U S C R I P T A C C E P T E D ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT AbstractBackground

Morbidity may occur following SLNB with the groin having a higher rate of early complications and lymphoedema compared with the axilla. The morbidity following CLND and TLND were similar. Lymphoedema rates were increased following RT.

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Metastatic pelvic nodes are common when palpable metastatic inguinal nodes are present. Long-term survival can be achieved following their resection by ilioinguinal dissection. As metastatic pelvic nodes cannot be diagnosed reliably by preoperative CT, patients presenting with palpable inguinal nodal metastasis should be considered for ilioinguinal dissection.

Patients with advanced nodal melanoma are typically managed with a regional nodal dissection; however, they have a high rate of distant relapse after surgery. This study assesses the role of preoperative radiotherapy to assist with the regional control in this subset of patients. Patients who had histologically confirmed stage III malignant melanoma and were treated with preoperative radiotherapy between 2004 and 2011 were eligible. All patients were staged with computer tomography and most with [F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET. Patients received preoperative radiotherapy, followed by a planned regional dissection at 12-14 weeks from completion with assessment of clinical, radiological and pathological responses. The primary outcome measure was the 1-year actuarial in-field control. There were 12 patients, with nine having disease of the axilla. All patients received radiotherapy up to a median dose of 48 Gy in 20 fractions, with seven patients achieving a partial clinical response. Ten patients proceeded to surgery, with four patients developing minor wound complications. The FDG-PET response did not appear to correlate with the pathological response. The 1-year in-field control rate was 92% (95% confidence interval 54-99) and the 1-year relapse-free survival was 54% (95% confidence interval 21-78). For selected patients with high-volume regional disease, we have successfully used preoperative radiotherapy, followed by a nodal dissection. Whether this type of protocol is of value in a more general group of patients with high-volume regional disease is currently under investigation.